FAU's defense hangs with Miami, but big plays doom unit

The Miami Hurricanes and Florida Atlantic University Owls kick off the season at Sun Life Stadium.

Dieter Kurtenbach, Sun Sentinel

FAU coaches stressed all preseason that they'd have to stop giving up big plays on defense if they wanted to improve in 2013.

One game into the season, it's obvious that the Owls still have work to do.

Miami scored on two big plays in the Hurricanes 34-6 win over the Owls Friday at Sun Life Stadium, but FAU coach Carl Pelini isn't putting too much credence in the touchdowns.

The first, a 53-yard touchdown run by Duke Johnson, was spectacular and stemmed from a missed tackle just past the line of scrimmage by FAU linebacker Andrae Kirk.

Against a running back like Johnson, who had 224 total yards Friday, Pelini said he's not going to stress over a big run.

"That was an awfully good back we were going against," Pelini said. "I'll give him that one."

As for Herb Waters' 63-yard touchdown run on a reverse from Johnson, that was a season-opening mistake.

"That's a discipline issue," Pelini said. "The reverse was a busted assignment. We just fell asleep. That was something worked on throughout the spring and throughout the camp and it was disappointing to see that happen. We just busted it and whoever was responsible for it didn't go with it. We just have to keep getting better."

Beyond that, Pelini said that he was impressed by his defense, which had some strong moments, despite allowing 34 points.

"I thought we battled," Pelini said. "I think we're more physical than we were a year ago. At times we tackled better. But we'll learn a lot from this tape and you'll see a much improved defensive team."

FAU's largest defensive deficiency heading into the season was defensive line play. The Owls had only one sack Friday, and Pelini said that was to be expected against the NFL-caliber offensive line Miami totes.

"There were times when their size [dominated], especially on those stretch plays to the outside," Pelini said. "We have to do a better job of executing our movements.

"When you're playing against a team like that, that's bigger than you, you have to be able to move. You have to make plays and at times we did. We did a pretty good job. We sliced though their and sliced some plays. At times, I don't think we executed our movements as well as I'd like to."

The Owls were shorthanded on the defensive side Friday. Pelini and linebacker Andrae Kirk — who had an interception against Miami — said that the team was forced to play more three-linebacker sets because nickleback Cre'von LeBlanc didn't play due to a broken rib.

"Cre'von is a heck of a player. He's a really good player," Pelini said. "I thought Christian [Milstead] played a really good game, but any time you start moving guys in other positions it makes you think in other positions. Not having Lance [Burlingame] tonight didn't help either. It hurt the rotation at tackle. There are three guys that we look forward to having with us full time next week."